GAP Commercialization Investment Program
The FSU Office of Commercialization is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2021 GAP Commercialization Investment competition, sponsored by the FSU Office of Research.
| Date: | Tuesday, November 30, 2021 |
| Location: | TBD |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon |
Detailed information on the Fall 2021 Grant Assistance Program (GAP) can be found below. If you are interested in participating please contact your respective Licensing Manager: Brent Edington at bedington@fsu.edu, Brittany Ferraro at bferraro@fsu.edu, Garrett Edmunds at gedmunds@fsu.edu and Michael Tentnowski at mtentnowski@fsu.edu.
Important Dates
- Pre-proposal submission (electronic): Thursday, September 23, 2021 by 5:00PM
- NOTE: The pre-proposal is a two-three page executive summary. If accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
- NOTE: The pre-proposal is a two-three page executive summary. If accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
- Approved pre-proposals announced: Friday, October 1, 2021
- Final proposals due (electronic): Wednesday, November 3, 2021 by 5:00PM
- Interactive review of PowerPoint presentations: Wednesday/Thursday, November 17-18, 2021
- Final presentations to GAP committee: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
- GAP winners announced on or before Friday, December 10, 2021
Program Description
The FSURF GAP Program is designed to support enhancements of inventions or other original works that have been disclosed to FSU. It funds projects that will quickly improve the odds that current research lead to public availability of a new product or service.
The FSU Research Foundation has allocated funds under this program to the investment in projects that will transform research to the point where the technology is a promising business opportunity.
GAP projects should reach completion in a year or less, preferably under a year. Extensions will not be granted, unless significant justification for non-completion is approved. Funded tasks will be performed under the supervision of the proposing faculty member; but may include third party efforts within or outside the University. The investments will be funded to meet agreed project objectives. Investment funds may be used to pay labor expenses, or to obtain materials, services, and assistance outside the university; investments may not be used for student tuition or Principal Investigator(s) and faculty salaries. Overhead charges should not be included in project investment requests. Strong preference will be given to projects with timelines dictated by the nature of the project and not a standard one year duration, regular internal checkpoints, external participation, and funding requirements below $50,000.
The purpose of the GAP investment program is to prepare technology for commercialization and not to fund students, postdoctoral fellows, and basic research. Payments to students and postdoctoral fellows may be an aspect of labor expenses.
Proposal Preparation
The GAP process is a two-step process. The first step to participating is to complete a pre-proposal submission outlining your ideas for the GAP funding. The submitted pre-proposal form will be reviewed by an outside review panel. If your pre-proposal is selected to participate in the formal GAP process, you will be asked to submit a GAP final proposal.
Required Elements of a GAP Nomination
1. A two-three page (max.) GAP pre-proposal
2. If pre-proposal is accepted, a complete GAP proposal that includes:
- Professional biography of PI
- A description of the problem to be solved
- Novel technology (include a solution using described technology)
- Potential solution
- Picture/diagram of the potential product (optional)
- Description of the market (include market size, competition, etc.)
- Work plan and timeline
- Budget
- Letters of interest from potential commercial partners (optional)
- Discussion with Licensing Manager about IP Protection
3. Powerpoint Presentation (10-minute limit) Note: Presentation cannot be made to GAP committee unless you have secured IP Protection.
4. Participation in a "practice" presentation
5. Presentation of proposal to GAP committee
Important Information and Documents
Evaluation, Awards and Reports
Initial review and comments will be provided by the Office of Commercialization.
Competitive review and funding recommendations will be provided by a committee which is chaired by an FSURF board member and includes outside business members. Final approval will be made by the FSU Research Foundation Board of Directors.
Once funded, the faculty member and key personnel will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled checkpoints.
At completion, a brief Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related federal or other external grants.
GAP Committee
- Laurel Fulkerson
Interim Vice President for Research - Eric Holmes
Assistant Vice President for Research - Chris Eldred
President, Teligent EMS - Kim Williams
President, Marpan Supply Co., Inc. - Don Rosenkoetter
Managing Director, Co-Investment Partnership, LLC - Kay Stephenson, GAP Committee Chair
President and CEO, Datamaxx Group - Steve Evans
Former Executive, IBM - Steve Roden
Chief Executive Officer, Guy Harvey Enterprises - Charles Ranson
International Trade and Development Consultant - Chris Rumana
Retired Physician
Program Contact
Submit your electronic pre-proposal, proposal, and Powerpoint slides to:
Jenn Gerson
Office of Commercialization
Florida State University
95 Chieftan Way, Dittmer Suite 312
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4391
(850) 645-7217
jgerson@fsu.edu